Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: How to be non-judgmental?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

By studying your own past. Look at how many times you have been judgmental. Every time you have been judgmental, you have been on the wrong foot. So just be aware of that. The moment you are aware that you are judgmental, you are already out of it. You can’t be judgmental in the present moment. You are judgmental in the past.

Q: Are thoughts internal or external?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Thoughts are in the mind. The mind is all around you. Both inside and out.

Q: In the continuation of the same thing, should we believe in the match- making of the birth chart etc. Should we believe in all that? Does match of mangalik-non mangalik matter?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

It is science but it depends on who does it. Many times in the name of astrology, people cheat others. There is something in chart matching, and you can do all that if you like. But Chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaye’ is best cure for all the short comings.

Q: Can you explain the meaning of accidents and illness in our life? What does it mean when they keep happening to us, even when we do actions to take care of ourselves, like coming to this course?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

See, whether you come to the course or go shopping, it is the same. If you don’t stop at a red light or stop at a green light, someone will hit you. They don’t see you. When you falter with the traffic rules, or someone else falters, then you are in trouble. You are not in isolation; you are in connection with many other factors in life.

Q: I see lots of people around me and I do not know why they have come here. Even I am sitting here and I have no clue why I am here. Is it because of some hollowness within me?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

This is more of a wonder then a question. I leave that wonder with you. Life should be full of wonders and it’s good to wonder.Every wonder is nothing but a question which is not looking for an answer. Life is a journey where you turn question in to wonder.

Q: What is more important - faith in ourselves or faith in others?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Both are necessary. However, add one more. That is, faith in God.

Q: How should be a disciple’s relation with the master?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

What relation you want to have with yourself? A relation in which you are natural and without any hesitation.

Q: Does your mission of lifting up the world get heavy at times? If so, what helps?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

All your work helps. When you write and talk about it. Prejudice in the world needs to be overcome. It’s much less but that hurdle needs to be overcome. And all of you can help. Everyone can help in reducing the prejudice.

Q: What is wrong and what is right?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Which gives you short term pleasure and long term misery is wrong and vice-versa.

Q: Dear Guruji, we have come here to appreciate silence more and more. I love it here but there are times when I would rather be alone and stay in silence. When I go to office or any social place like that, do you think too much silence is a bad thing?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Balance! Balance in life. Anything too much is no good. Too much talking is no good; too much silence is not for you now.